Ski rack



March 8, 1966 .1. A. BOTT ETAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb 6, 1964 SKI RACK Filed Feb. 6, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. 72/ 307 /9? ZaFz i 7 Q Ja 6', )fcZ/rd M4 M y 2 E5;

1 5 jfl 177a XIVI/S March 8, 1966 J. A. BOTT ETAL 3,239,115

SKI RACK Filed Feb. 6, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS.

J. A. BOTT ETAL.

March 8, 1966 SKI BACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 6, 1964 INVENTORS. 7:527? fi. 342 2 United States Patent 3,239,115 SKI RACK John A. Bott, 931 Lakeshore Drive, Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich and David C. McElroy, Detroit, Mich.; said McElroy assignor to said Eott Filed Feb. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 342,947 21 Claims. (Ci. 224-421) This invention relates generally 10 means for transporting skis or the like, and more particularly to a ski rack assembly which is adapted to be detachably mounted on the exterior of an automotive vehicle.

The ski rack of the present invention is characterized by a novel arrangement of a plurality of ski constraining arms which are adapted to be pivoted to and from a position rigidly securing a plurality of skis or the like to a pair of base rails mounted on the roof or trunk deck of an automotive vehicle. Each of these arms is provided with a novel locking clamp which is adapted to not only lockingly secure the skis or the like Within the rack assembly, but also to lockingly secure the entire rack assembly to the automotive vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ski rack of the above character which particularly lends itself to the use of superior materials which are light, rust proof and pleasant in appearance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved ski rack of the above character which is highly stable and which accommodates skis or the like of varying thickness.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved ski rack of the above character that is readily adjustable and is provided with a superior locking arrangement.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved ski rack of the above character which is' strong, easily assembled, reasonable in cost and which is durable in operation.

'Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevated perspective view of an automotive vehicle having a preferred embodiment of a ski rack of the present invention in operative association;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary exploded assembly view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1, taken in the direction of the arrow 2 thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1, taken within the circle 3 thereof;

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 3, taken along the line 4-4 thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view similar to FIG- URE 4 illustrating the locking clamp portion thereof in its unlatched position;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view similar to FIG- URE 6 of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is an end elevational view similar to FIG- URE 4 of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 illustrates another embodiment of the transversely extending base rail and support means therefor illustrated in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 12 is an elevated perpsective view of an alternative embodiment of the ski constraining arms of the 3,239,115 Patented Mar. 8, 1966 "ice present invention as shown in operative association with a conventional luggage rack mounted on the roof of an automotive vehicle; and

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the ski constraining arms illustrated in FIGURE 12, taken in the direction of the arrow 13 thereof.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a ski rack assembly 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown in operative association with an automotive vehicle 12 having a roof portion 14 which extends longitudinally rearward of a windshield 16. The assembly 10 includes a pair of identical, longitudinally spaced base rails 18 and 20 which extend transversely of and are rigidly secured to the roof portion 14. The base rails 18 and 20 are each provided with a pair of ski constraining arms 22, 24 and 26, 28, respectively. Each of the arms 22, 24, 26 and 28 has its inboard end pivotably secured to its associated base rail 18 or 20 and is adapted to detachably secure a plurality of skis or the like thereto, in a manner hereinafter to be described. By virtue of the fact that each of the arms 22, 24, 26 and 28 is of an identical construction, and each operates in essentially the same manner, a detailed description of these arms will be given with particular reference being made only to the arms 22 and 24, together with their associated base rail 18.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 7, the arm 22 is formed in a generally U-shaped configuration and consists of a central portion 29 and downwardly depending, coextensive side sections 30 and 31. Formed along the lower side of the central portion 29 is an annular recess or groove 32 through which extends a cylindrical shaft, generally designated 33. The inboard end of the shaft 33 is formed in the angular configuration illustrated in FIG- URE 2 which defines a tip section 36 that is adapted to be pivotably mounted within a pair of axially aligned apertures, generally designated 38, formed in the opposite sides of the base rail 18. A friction cap 40, which is preferably constructed of molded plastic or rubber, is adapted to be press fitted over the end of the tip section 36 to prevent the end of the shaft 33 from sliding out of the apertures 38. A pair of longitudinally extending slots 32a and 32b are formed in the opposite sides of the annular recess 32 and are adapted to have a pair of diametrically opposed ear portions 33a and 33b, which extend radially outwardly from the opposite sides of the shaft 33, press fitted therewithin to rigidly secure the shaft 33 to the arm 22.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 through 6, the arm 24, together with the arms 22, 26 and 28, is provided with a detachable locking clamp, generally designated 42, which is adapted to detachably secure the outboard or swinging end of the arm 24 to the base rail 18. The locking clamp 42 consists of a generally C-shaped clamping hook 44 that is formed with a pair of spaced parallel flange portions 46 and 48, the former of which extends from the lower end of the clamping hook 44 and is adapted to selectively engage a lower edge portion 50 of the base rail 18, as will be described. The flange portion 48, which extends from the upper end of the clamping hook 44, is provided with an arcuately configured end portion 51 which defines a cylindrical bore 52 within which is disposed a pivot pin 54. The pivot 54 also extends through a pair of axially aligned apertures 56 and 58 formed within a pair of ear portions 60 and 62 of an elongated locking lever, generally designated 64, to pivotably connect the clamping hook 44 thereto. The ear portions 60 and 62, which extend perpendicularly from the locking lever 64 in a general spaced parallel relationship, are provided with a second pair of aligned apertures 66 and 68 respectively, through which extends the outer end of a shaft 70. It will be apparent, of course, that the shaft 70 corresponds to the shaft 33 in the arm 22. A friction cap 72, which is preferably of an identical construction as the cap 40, is provided on the outer end of the shaft 70 to prevent the locking lever 64 from sliding axially therefrom.

The base rails 18 and 20 are supported upon the vehicle 12 by a plurality of generally bifurcated support members disposed one at the outboard end of each of .these rails. One of these support members, generally designated 74, is illustrated in FIGURES 3 through 7, and comprises a central portion 76 having a pair of leg portions 78 and 80 extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom. A rectangularly shaped recess 82 is formed in the top of the central portion 76 for slidably receiving the lower edge portion 50 of the base rail 18. It will be noted that the support member 74 may be longitudinally adjusted along the base rail 18 in accordance with the curvature of the vehicles roof portion 14, thereby providing the maximum support for the load placed on the base rail 18.

The leg portions 78 and 80 of the support member 74 are formed with an oblate recess, generally designated 84, in the lower ends thereof for slidably receiving the upper end portion of a cushioning or bumper element 86. The bumper elements 86 may be constructed of any suitable resilient deformable material such as molded rubber or the like, and are adapted to prevent the support member 74 from scratching, marring or similarly damaging the upper surface of the vehicles roof portion 14.

The base rails 18 and 20 are each provided with a pair of fastening straps, one of which is illustrated in FIGURES 3 and and designated by the numeral 88. The fastening strap 88 has a generally arcuate configured outer end portion 90 which is adapted to surmount a portion of a rain gutter rail 92 extending longitudinally along the side of the vehicles roof portion 14. The inboard or inner end of the fastening strap 88 extends through a conventional helically threaded screw adjust ment assembly 93 which includes a threaded screw 94 mounted within a housing 96 that is secured within an elongated cavity 98 in the base rail 18 by a securing strap 100 and a rivit 102. A plurality of slots 104 are formed in the inner end of the fastening strap 88 which are adapted. to be engaged by the threads of the screw 94. It will be seen that upon suitable rotation of, the screw 94, the inner end of the strap 88 will be advanced inwardly through the adjustment assembly 93, thereby tensioning the strap 88 to secure the end of the base rail 18 and the support member 74 to the roof portion 14. It may be noted that in the event it is desired to mount the ski rack assembly on the trunk deck of an automotive vehicle, the arcuate outer end 90 of the strap 88 is adapted to lockingly engage the side of the trunk lid, thereby rigidly securing the end of the base rail 18 and support member 74 thereto.

As best seen in FIGURES 4 and 6, the base rail 18, together with the rail 20, is provided with an elongated resilient deformable cushion member 106. The member 106 is formed with a pair of longitudinally extending grooves 108 and 110 in the opposite sides thereof, which grooves are adapted to slidably receive a pair of inwardly extending shoulder sections 112 and 114 that are formed on the opposite sides of the base rail 18. The cushion member 106 is adapted to be inserted longitudinally between the shoulder sections 112 and 114, and when disposed therebetween, prevent the surfaces of the skis or the like which are supported upon the base rail 18 from being scratched or similarly damaged thereby.

Each of the ski constraining arms 22, 24, 26 and 28 is also provided with a resilient deformable cushion member, as representatively illustrated by a cushion member 116 operatively associated with the arm 22 in FIGURE 7. The cushion member 116 is of a generally inverted V-configuration and consists of a central section 118 and downwardly extending leg sections 120 and 122. A pair of longitudinally extending recesses 124 and 126 are formed in the opposite sides of the central section 118 and are adapted to respectively receive inwardly and downwardly extending shoulder portions 128 and 130 formed on the lower ends of the side sections 30 and 31 of the arm 22. It may be noted that the cushion members central section 118 is slightly larger in the lateral direction than the distance between the arms side sections 30 and 31 so that upon assembly of the cushion member 116 and the arm 22, the central section 118 may be press fitted interjacent the arms shoulder portions 128 and 130. A particular feature of the bifurcated or V-shaped configuration of the cushion member 116 resides in the relatively high column strength which the leg sections 120 and 122 provide to prevent pivoting of the arm 22 about the axis of the shaft 33, thus substantially enhancing the stability of the arm 22. Another feature of the V-configuration of the cushion members may be seen by the fact that skis or the like of varying thickness may be adjacently disposed and rigidly supported between the arms 22, 24, 26 and 28, and the base rails 18 and 20.

During the normal transport of skis within the rack assembly 10, the V-configured cushion members on each of the arms 22, 24, 26 and 28, together with the cushion members on the base rails 18 and 20, are resiliently deformed so as to exert a substantial compressive force on the skis, thereby effectively precluding any relative axial or lateral movement of the skis within the rack assembly 10. When it is desired to remove the skis from the rack assembly 10, the clamping assemblies of the outer end of each of the arms 22, 24, 26 and 28 are each unfastened in a manner hereinafter described with particular reference being made to the assembly 42 mounted on the outboard end of the arm 24.

Initially, the locking lever 64 of the locking clamp 42 is pivoted in a generally clockwise direction about the cylindrical shaft 70 which extends longitudinally through the arm 24. Upon thus pivoting the locking lever 64, the pin 54, which extends between the ear portions 60 and 62 of the lever 64, is transposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 70, thereby biasing the flange portion 48 of the clamping hook 44 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 6. In this position, the clamping hook 44 may be pivoted counterclockwise about the axis of the pin 54, whereby the flange portion 46 that extends from the lower end of the hook 44 is disengaged from the lower edge portion 50 of the base rail 18. Thereafter, the arm 24 may be pivoted upwardly about the inboard end of the shaft 70 to permit removal of the skis supported on the base rail 18.

In order to again lockingly secure the outboard end of the arm 24 to the base rail 18, the locking lever 64 is disposed in a position illustrated in FIGURE 6 and the flange portion 46 of the clamping book 44 is engaged with the lower edge portion 50 of the base rail 18. The locking lever 64 is then pivoted in a general counterclockwise direction about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 70 whereby the pin member 54 is transposed circumferentially about the shaft 33 until the clamping hook 44 and locking lever 52 are once again disposed in the latched position, illustrated in FIGURE 4.

As best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, a pair of apertures 131 and 132 are respectively formed within the clamping hook 44 and the locking lever 64. When the locking clamp 42 is disposed in the latched position as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the apertures 131 and 132 are axially aligned with a pair of apertures 133 and 134 formed within the vertically extending sides of the base rails 18 and 20, thereby allowing insertion of a suitable locking pin or, as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, one leg portion 135 of a conventional padlock 136 through the locking clamp 42 to lockingly secure the clamping hook 44 and locking lever 64 thereof in the latched position.

The ear portion 62 disposed on the outboard side of the locking lever 64 is adapted to extend vertically downward across the ends of the base rail 18 when the locking lever 64 is disposed in its latched position, thereby precluding access to the fastening strip tensioning assembly 93 disposed within the end of the base rail 18. With such a construction, once the locking clamp 42 is lookingly secured in its latched position, as by the aforediscussed locking means, removal of either the skis secured by the arms 22, 24, 26 and 28 within the rack assembly 10, or removal of the entire rack assembly from the vehicles roof 14, is effectively precluded.

An alternative method of lockingly securing the outboard end of the arm 24 to the base rail 18 is illustrated in FIGURES 8 through 10 wherein a locking assembly, generally designated 138, is mounted in the lower end of the locking lever 64. The assembly 138 includes a lock housing 139 within which a central shaft 140 is rotatably mounted. The housing 139 is secured to the lever 62 by a nut 141 which is threaded on the inner side of the housing 139. Disposed on the inner end of the shaft 140 is a locking tang 142 which is adapted to be rotated with the shaft 140 to and from a position engaging the interior side of the shoulder portion 112 which extends inwardly from the side of the base rail 18, as illustrated in FIGURE 9. An opening 143 is formed in the side of the base rail 18 to permit insertion of the inner end of the shaft 140 and tang 142 into the interiorof the base rail 18. As best seen in FIGURE 10, the outer end of the cushion member 106 terminates inwardly from the end of the base rail 18 to permit both relatively free pivotal movement of the tang 142 and its engagement with the shoulder portion 112. A conventional locking key 144 is removably disposed in the lock housing 139 and rotation thereof is adapted to effect the aforediscussed rotative movement of the shaft 140 and tang 142.

Referring now to FIGURE 11, an alternative construction of the base rails 18 and 20, and support member 74 therefor, includes a substantially hollow base rail 150 adapted to be operatively associated with a ski constraining arm 152 having a locking clamp 154 mounted on the outer end portion thereof. The arm 152 and clamp 154 are preferably of an identical construction as the arm 24 and clamp assembly 42. A support member, generally designated by the numeral 156, is provided for the operative support of the outer end of the base rail 150, and is formed from a single length of cylindrical bar stock disposed in an angular configuration defining a base portion 158 having legs 160 and 162 extending upwardly from the opposite ends thereof, as illustrated in FIGURE 11. The diametric thickness of the base portion 158 is preferably equal to or slightly less than the lateral width of a conventional rain gutter rail 164 extending along the longitudinal side of an automotive vehicles roof portion, generally designated 166, such that the base portion 158 of the support member 156 may be removably supported within the rail 164 for the operative support of the base rail 150.

The upper end portions of the support members legs 160 and 162 are adapted to be slidably inserted within a spaced pair of longitudinally extending apertures 168 and 170 formed in the lower end portion of the base rail 150, the legs 160 and 162 being operatively maintained therewithin by a fastening strap 172 of an identical construction as the aforediscussed fastening strap 88. The fastening strap 172 is adjustably secured within the base rail 150 by a helically threaded screw adjustment assembly (not shown) which is preferably of the same construction as the adjustment assemblage 93 associated with the aforediscussed base rails 18 and 20.

Referring now to FIGURE 12, a plurality of ski constraining adapter arms, generally designated 200, are

shown in operative association with a pair of laterally or transversely extending rails 202 and 204 of a conventional luggage rack 206 mounted on a roof portion 208 of an automotive vehicle 210. Because all of the arms 260 are identical in construction, reference will hereinafter be made to only a single arm 200. As illustrated in FIGURE 13, the arm 200 is generally Ushaped in transverse section and consists of parallel sides 214 and 216 extending perpendicularly downward from a central section 218. Preferably, the construction of the arm 200 is identical to that of the aforediscussed arms 22, 24, 26 and 28 of the ski rack assembly 10.

As best seen in FIGURE 13, a shaft 220 extends longitudinally through a cylindrical groove 222 formed on the lower side of the arms central section 218. One end of the shaft 222 is formed in an arcuate hook configuration and is adapted to extend around a lower edge portion 224 of the laterally extending luggage rack cross rail 202, thereby securing the inboard end of the arm 200 to the cross rail 202 in a manner such that the opposite end of the arm 200 may be pivotably biased to and from a position securing a plurality of skis or the like between the arm 200 and the cross rail 202.

A locking clamp assembly, generally designated 230 and including a locking lever 232 and a clamping hook 234 of essentially the same construction as the aforediscussed locking lever 64 and clamping hook 44, is operatively mounted on the outboard or swinging end of the arm 201). The assembly 230 is adapted to function in an identical manner as the clamp assembly 42 in detachably securing the end of the arm 200 to the rail 202.

The arm 200 is provided with an elongated V-configured cushion member 236 which is coextensive therewith and is prefeably of an identical construction as the aforesdiscussed cushion member 116. The V-configuration of the member 236 acts to substantially improve the stability of the arm 200, thus preventing possible rotative motion of the arm 200 about the axis of the rail 202 and/or 204 when the arm 200 is operatively securing skis or the like to the rail 202 and/ or 204.

The base rails 18, 20 and 150, together with the ski constraining arms 22, 24, 26, 28, 152 and 200, and the base rail support member 74, are preferably formed by extruding aluminum or a similar strong lightweight material. Such a construction not only requires relatively low cost tooling, but also minimizes the structurally accrued weight added to the automotive vehicle.

Moreover, this construction provides a corrosion resistant structure which is extremely pleasant in appearance.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments herein illustrated are well calculated to fulfill the objects stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rack for securing skis and the like to an automotive vehicle,

a plurality of spaced parallel base rails operatively secured to the automotive vehicle,

a plurality of ski constraining arms operatively associated with each of said base rails,

each of said arms having shaft means extending longitudinally therethrough adapted to pivotably connect sa d arms to one of said base rails,

cushion means on the mutually adjacent surfaces of each of said base rails and said arms, and

means including clamping means pivotably mounted on said shaft means to pivot about the longitudinal axis of said shaft means for detachably securing a plurality of skis between said arms and said base rails.

2. In a rack for securing skis and the like to an automotive Vehicle,

a plurality of spaced parallel base rails operatively secured to the automotive vehicle,

a plurality of ski constraining arms operatively associated with each of said base rails,

shaft means extending through each of said arms and adapted to pivotably secure one end portion thereof to one of said base rails,

cushion means including a plurality of elongated cushioning strips constructed of a resilient deformable material and operatively disposed on the adjacent sides of each of said base rails and said arms to operatively support a plurality of skis therebetween without damaging the adjacent surfaces thereof, and

clamping means pivotally connected to said shaft means extending from the free end of each of said arms and adapted to pivot about the longitudinal axis of said shaft means to detachably secure the plurality of skis between said arms and said base rails.

3. In a rack for securing skis and the like to an automotive vehicle,

a plurality of spaced parallel base rails operatively secured to the roof of the automotive vehicle,

a plurality of ski constraining arms each having one end portion thereof pivotably connected to one of said base rails,

clamping means on the free end portion of each of said arms and pivotable about the longitudinal axis of said arms for detachably securing a plurality of skis between said arms and said base rails,

a plurality of support members disposed one on each end of each of said base rails for supporting said base rails on said roof portion of the automotive vehicle,

said support members each having an upper end portion of a complementary shape with respect to the lower edges of said base rails and adapted to slidably engage said lower edges of said base rails whereby to permit longitudinal adjustment of said support mem bers along said base rails, and

said support members each being further provided with a pair of angularly disposed leg portions extending downwardly from said upper end portion thereof to the surface of said roof portion of the automotive vehicle.

4. In a device for securing skis or the like to an automotive vehicle having a roof portion with rain gutter rails extending along the longitudinal sides thereof,

a pair of longitudinally spaced transversely extending base rails each provided with a pair of ski constraining arms,

each of said arms having a cylindrical shaft extending longitudinally therethrough,

said cylindrical shaft extending from one end portion of each of said arms being angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft and disposed in a preselected angularity thereby being adapted to be operatively inserted within one of said base rails to pivotably secure said end portion of said arm thereto,

a plurality of locking levers one of which is pivotably connected to said cylindrical shaft extending from the free end portion of each of said arms,

a plurality of clamping hooks one of which is pivotably connected to each of said locking levers,

each of said locking levers and said clamping hooks being adapted to be pivotally biased about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said arms to and from a position lockingly engaging said clamping hook pivotably connected thereto with one of said base rails,

cushion means including a plurality of elongated cushioning strips constructed of a resilient deformable material and operatively disposed on the adjacent sides of each of said base rails and said arms,

a plurality of support members one of which is slidably connected to each end portion of each of said 8 base rails for supporting said base rails on the roof portion of the automotive vehicle, a plurality of fastening straps one of which is adjustably secured to each end portion of each of said base rails, 5 and each of said fastening straps being adapted to lockingly engage a portion of the longitudinally extending rain gutter thereby securing said base rails to said roof portion of the automotive vehicle.

5. In a device for securing skis and the like to a rigid member on an automotive vehicle,

a ski constraining arm having an elongated shaft extending longitudinally therethrough,

a portion of said shaft extending from one end of said arm and being angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft and disposed in a preselected configuration to pivotably secure said end portion of said arm to the member,

means on the free end of said arm and pivotable about the longitudinal axis of said arm for detachably securing a plurality of skis between said arm and the member, and

cushioning means on said arm adapted to resiliently deform to operatively support said plurality of skis between said arm and the automotive vehicle.

6. In a device for securing skis and the like to a rigid member on an automotive vehicle,

a ski constraining arm having an elongated groove portion formed therewithin,

a cylindrical shaft extending longitudinally through said groove portion of said arm,

a strip of cushioning material partially disposed within said groove portion of said arm adapted to resiliently deform to operatively secure a plurality of skis between said arm and the automotive vehicle,

said cylindrical shaft extending from one end of said arm being angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft and oriented in a preselected configuration thereby pivotably securing said end portion of said arm to the member,

a locking lever pivotably connected to said cylindrical shaft extending from the free end portion of said arm,

a clamping hook pivotably connected to said locking lever, and

said locking lever being adapted to be pivotably biased about the longitudinal axis of said shaft to and form a position lockingly engaging the lower end portion of said clamping hook with the automotive vehicle thereby detachably connecting said free end portion of said arm to the automotive vehicle.

7. In a device for securing skis and the like to an automotive vehicle having a plurality of spaced parallel load supporting members secured thereto,

a plurality of ski constraining arms each having one end portion thereof pivotably connected to one of the load supporting members, and

means pivotable about the longitudinal axis of said arms adapted to detachably secure the free ends of said arms to the members, whereby a plurality of skis may be temporarily secured between said arms and the load supporting members.

8. In a device for securing skis and the like to an automotive vehicle having a plurality of spaced parallel load 65 supporting members secured thereto,

a plurality of ski constraining arms each having a cylindrical shaft extending longitudinally therethrough,

means including said shaft for pivotably connecting one end portion of each of said arms to one of the load supporting members, and

clamping means pivotably connected to said shaft ex tending from the free end portion of each of said arms and pivotable about the longitudinal axis of said shaft to detachably secure said free end portions of said arms to the load supporting members.

9. In a device for securing skis and the like to the transversely extending load supporting members of a conventional luggage rack operatively secured to the roof of an automotive vehicle,

a plurality of ski constraining arms each having an elongated groove portion formed therewithin,

a plurality of cylindrical shafts one of which extends longitudinally through said groove portion of each of said arms,

a portion of each of said cylindrical shafts extending from said arms being disposed in a J-shaped configuration thereby being adapted to operatively engage the lower edge portion of one of the load supporting members to pivotably connect said end portion of said arms thereto,

a plurality of elongated strips of a resilient deformable cushioning material one of which is operatively supported within said groove portion of each of said arms,

a locking lever pivotably connected to said cylindrical shaft extending from the free end portion of each of said arms,

a clamping hook pivotably connected to each of said locking levers, and

said locking levers each being adapted to be pivotably biased to and from a position lockingly engaging said clamping hook pivotably connected thereto with the lower edge portion of one of said load supporting members thereby detachably connecting said free end portion of one of said arms thereto.

10. A rack for securing skis and the like as set lorth in claim 2 wherein the cushion means secured to said arms are formed in a generally bifurcated configuration.

11. A device for securing skis and the like as set forth in claim 4 wherein said locking levers are provided with locking means which are adapted to collectively engage said base rails to prevent said locking levers from being pivotably biased from said position lockingly engaging said plurality of clamping hooks with said base rails.

12. In a rack for securing skis and the like to an automotive vehicle having a roof portion with rain gutter rails extending along the longitudinal sides thereof, a plurality of spaced parallel base rails extending transversely of the roof portion, each of said rails being provided with at least one ski constraining arm, each of said arms having a cylindrical shaft extending longitudinally therethrough, said cylindrical shaft extending from one end portion of each of said arms and being angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft and disposed in a preselected angularity thereby being adapted to pivotably secure said end portion of said arm to said base rails, a plurality of locking levers one of which is pivotably connected to said cylindrical shaft extending from the free end portion of each of said arms, a plurality of clamping hooks one of which is pivotably connected to each of said locking levers, each of said locking levers and said clamping hooks being adapted to be pivotably biased about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said arms to and from a position lockingly engaging the clamping hook pivotably connected thereto with one of said base rails, a plurality of support members disposed one at each end of said base rails and extending downwardly therefrom, said support members comprising upper sections extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said base rails and being adapted to be inserted within the opposite ends thereof, said support members further comprising lower end portions, the size of which are equal to or slightly less than the lateral width of the longitudinally extending rain gutter rails and are adapted to be disposed within said gutters for the operative support of said base rails.

13. A device for securing skis and the like as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cushioning means on said ski constraining arms are of a generally bifurcated configuration and which have the upper ends thereof disposed within a longitudinally extending recess formed in the lower sides of said arms.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 4 which includes locking means mounted on said locking levers and adapted to be selectively engaged with one side of said base rails to lockingly 'secure said locking levers and said clamping hooks at said position wherein said levers and said hooks are lockingly engaged with said base rails.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 14 wherein said locking means comprises a lock housing mounted on the lower end of said locking levers and comprises a locking tang which is adapted to be selectively rotated to and from a position engaging a portion of said base rail whereby to lockingly secure said locking lever to said base rails.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base rails and said ski constraining arms are constructed of extruded aluminum.

17. In a device for securing skis and the like to a rigid member on an automotive vehicle, a ski constraining arm, a shaft extending longitudinally through a portion of said arm and extending from at least one end thereof, means movably securing one end of said arm to the member, means on the free end of said arm and pivotable about the longitudinal axis of said shaft for detachably securing a plurality of skis between said arm and the member, said last mentioned means comprising a locking lever pivotably mounted on said shaft and a clamping hook pivotally mounted on said locking lever, said clamping hook being adapted to lockingly engage the member when said locking lever is pivoted a predetermined amount about the axis of said shaft.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein said arm is constructed of extruded aluminum.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein one end of said shaft is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of said arm and disposed in a preselected angularity whereby to pivotably secure said one end of said arm to the member.

20. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein said arm comprises cushioning means extending longitudinally of and secured to one side of said arm.

21. In a device for securing skis and the like to a rigid member on an automotive vehicle, a ski constraining arm comprising an extruded metal arm, said arm having an elongated cylindrical shaft extending longitudinally therethrough, one end of said shaft extending outwardly from one end of said member and having a J-shaped portion formed thereon for engagement with the member whereby to pivotably secure one end of said arm to said member, the opposite end of said shaft extending outwardly from the opposite end of said arm and having securing means mounted thereon for detachably securing a plurality of skis between said arm and the member, said securing means comprising a locking lever pivotably mounted about the longitudinal axis of said shaft and a clamping hook movably secured to said locking lever and adapted to lockingly engage the member upon preselected pivotable movement of said locking lever about said shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,235,012 3/1941 Colvin. 2,575,458 11/1951 Merrill. 2,833,453 5/ 1958 Barreca.

FOREIGN PATENTS 432,271 3/ 1948 Italy.

91,290 3/1958 Norway.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiner. 

1. IN A RACK FOR SECURING SKIS AND THE LIKE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE, A PLURALITY OF SPACED PARALLEL BASE RAILS OPERATIVELY SECURED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE, A PLURALITY OF SKI CONSTRAINING ARMS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF SAID BASE RAILS, EACH OF SAID ARMS HAVING SHAFT MEANS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THERETHROUGH ADAPTED TO PIVOTALLY CONNECT SAID ARMS TO ONE OF SAID BASE RAILS, 